Having worked with Waterford Crystal Ireland, Lenox Crystal USA and in the hand cut crystal business for over 36 years, I have had my fair share of breaking, cutting, etching, polishing and washing crystal and glassware. I want to bring to your attention the proper way to wash and care for your hand-cut Waterford Crystal, so here are some basic rules and tips to protect your most prized possessions.
RULE #1 Wash your glass by hand
In recent years, several Dishwasher companies have brought out a cycle on some models, where they tell you it’s safe to wash your hand-cut crystal in the machine, using a fine china and crystal setting. Well, I am here to tell you that this is not a safe practice. I have heard numerous stories of breaking and chipping and have had to repair various parts of all sizes. The number one complaint is when the glass was placed too close and chipped. Now, you might think this is an obvious thing not to do and it is, but here’s the rub. Dishwasher water jets, on some models, are very temperamental and sudden bursts of water can occur and for some reason it always seems to happen when you are washing your Waterford Crystal. Another complaint was that the glass lost its shine and shine. So, play it safe and always hand wash your cut glass.
ADVICE:
Using a double sink, wash each piece individually with soap and warm water and a splash of ammonia to stop pitting and staining. Rinse well. While drying with a soft cloth, hold the stem (if it’s goblets, goblets, flutes, etc.) with your left hand and use a light circular motion with your right hand to avoid scratching it. Do not rub hard as this will cause minor scratches.
For ship decanters, fluted vases, and hard-to-reach crystal pieces, you can use a half cup of uncooked rice with moderately hot water, a tablespoon of white vinegar, and fill halfway. Gently shake and shake the mixture, while turning it over to see if the residue moves. This can take around fifteen minutes to remove tough stains. Rinse well with lukewarm water and allow to dry upside down. Remember to let it dry at room temperature and do not add hot or cold liquids until it is completely dry, as sudden changes in temperature in the glass cause stress fractures and breakage.
The use of denture tabs
I have seen it mentioned on a few other websites about using Denture Tabs to remove tough stains. This concerns me and I do not recommend the use of a denture tab as it is known to cause lead content to leak into the crystal. What happens is this, the compound of the crystal is made of red lead and potash and the ingredient in this tab causes a reaction that releases some of the lead, which can remain later when filled with whiskey or wine. So you don’t want to mix a good wine or a good whiskey with lead extract.
